Alliance of Sahel States holds 3rd Volunteers University in Niamey

The third edition of the Volunteers University for the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) Confederation opened in Niamey on September 28, 2026. The event brings together approximately 300 participants from Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso to discuss how volunteerism can serve as a tool for state-building and regional cooperation.

Presided over by Minister of State for National Defense, General Salifou Mody, the summit emphasizes the role of volunteers in strengthening state presence in sectors such as education, health, agriculture, and local administration. General Mody noted that volunteerism is an instrument for public action rather than mere charity, highlighting its importance in combating terrorism by engaging and training youth to be useful to their communities.

The gathering aims to harmonize national volunteer programs into a unified confederate mechanism. Mali reported significant progress in this area, having mobilized over 3,000 volunteers in the last three years and implementing a national volunteer policy, including a senior program to utilize the experience of older citizens.